Chapter 13: A Cause For Alarm

Kieran's POV 

I walked into the hallway. I've been searching for any signs of Lyra with my eyes, but I couldn't spot her.

I informed the head of palace workers to change the duties of all omega, particularly Lyra. She will be my personal attendant.

“Alpha Kieran," an icy voice called my name right behind me.

Didn't she ever take a break?

“Lady Seraphina," I addressed her, wearing the most pleasant smile I could muster at that point. “To what do I owe this honor?”

She forced a smile and walked up close. "Alpha word reached my ears that you're reassigning the duties for the omegas within the palace. Is this good for me?” Her eyes were hard, as her body language was rigid.

I nodded. "Of course, it should be good for you; as it'll be good for others." 

She cleared her throat. “The last time a noble took actions on omegas at his own decision, he lost his place. Can I make a request?” I knew where this was headed and nodded to urge her on. “I want a personal maid. And I want to choose." 

I knew it! But there was no way I could let Lyra be her personal maid. What if she tried to harm her, or set her up against me? 

“Go ahead," I counted my words, preparing the most pleasant way to tell her off without sounding too involved or too forward.

“I want Anya to be my personal maid. Is that too much?" 

I did my best not to seem too relieved. I couldn't risk looking like I had just escaped a life sentence. 

Did she do that on purpose? What is she cooking up? I thought she'd go for Lyra, but she chose some other maid. 

“It's not too much, Lady Seraphina. You can take Anya as your personal maid. She'll consider it a very great honor. Who knows, you might be just the perfect role model in her eyes?" 

“Thank you, Kieran," she hissed and walked away, swaying her hips seductively.

A close call, but a cause for alarm. Did everything still sting as much? What exactly is she planning? 

And where did Ethan go whenever I needed him the most? We needed to have our eyes opened otherwise the rug would be pulled out from right under my feet. 

“Alpha Kieran, you sent for me?" 

There she was, head bowed, eyes fixed on the stone floor, her innocence giving her away. Were it not for her safety, I'd have long put my seed in her. 

“Yes. You are my personal attendant, henceforth." 

“Me?" She finally raised her head and locked eyes with me, looking as confused as ever. I let her think so as to process the new information. 

“I'm female; I barely know the routine of a male, and what to assist you with. Do I have to lift heavy things very often? Can I decline this without any repercussions?" 

Wow! So many questions. Yes, she had a point though. I sized her up as I considered my response that would alleviate all her worries.

“I still have my male personal attendant, and my guard. You will attend to my everyday needs, not things that require strength and muscles." 

She exhaled steadily, and went quiet. That was a good one. Now, I have to find Ethan.

“Do I have to follow you around?" She asked.

“You may go now. I'll send for you when I need your services. Ethan will come to you whenever I send for you.”

"Yes, my Lord,” she curtsied and retreated into the inner parts of the hallway.

An Alpha's Beta should always be by his side, but this was never the case with Ethan. Always disappearing off to unknown places, and suddenly reappearing.

Ethan basically grew up with me, and beyond our official orders, he was the only friend I could trust with just about anything of mine.

I walked out into the open fields. The weather seemed fair enough, and a mild lavender scent musked the air. It reminded me of my mother every single time. She always smelled like lavender, and she loved the colour purple so much that she was never out of it.

“Alpha Kieran!" A distant voice called as running steps approached me from the other end of the field. Finally, my Beta!

“Ethan?" 

“Alpha Kieran, sorry I'm late. I had to run a few errands for my aunt." 

I sighed and sucked my teeth in utter disappointment. 

Who was he Beta to? His aunt? Why was he always running the errands when she had her own son with her?

“You never say ‘no’, do you?”

He averted his gaze. "I'm sorry.”

"Better. Have you noticed any suspicious movements in the palace? Things feel a bit off lately, and I'm not enjoying it. Any outbursts from any council members recently?”

From my own questions, I realized I hadn't ironed out issues with Elder Mordecai as Elder Thorian had advised. 

I hate situations like this! How do I go back on my word, and reappoint him as head of the council?

“Alpha Kieran?" 

I was startled out of my reverie by Ethan's tap on my shoulder. I hadn't been listening to a word he said.

“You weren't listening to me," he complained.

“Forgive my absentmindedness. There's really a lot going through my head; I can't seem to hold a thought in place." 

"I was saying that I haven't gotten wind from any council members recently. They all seem pretty satisfied.”

Of course they appear satisfied, despite the recent happenings in the palace. Did Ethan even know the things that went on these days? He was barely around.

“Oh, right.” I looked him over and wondered how far I was going to get if this was the most involved he could ever be.

"Let's head back inside. There will be reassignment of duties. I hope someone else gets your job.”

He paused in his tracks.

"Are you really that disappointed in me, Alpha Kieran?”

"Of course. I have cause to be afraid when the person who's supposed to have my back is mostly absent, and I have to fill him in on the current situation of things.” 

It worked, because he sobered up immediately and walked two steps ahead of me. Despite being friends, we didn't have to take serious matters with levity.

“Ethan?" 

“Yes." 

“I have a new personal attendant. She'll attend to my meals, bath, laundry and some other things if needed. Is that too much torture?"

He stopped in his tracks and turned on his heels, giving me a look that clearly said he was tired of my antics.